X-Country Skiing

Today we took Bailey up to the mountains-Bogus Basin- to do some cross-country skiing. It was her first trip to Bogus, and Nana and Papa met us at the Nordic Lodge. We rented skis from REI and a Chariot with skis for Bailey to ride in. We were quite bundled up as it was cold and windy when got out of the car. We got our boots on and got Bailey situated in the Chariot. Bogus Basin has a great new Nordic Center lodge, and we departed on the Nordic Expressway. It is the main trail and the one where others branch off from. We skied about 2 miles out--with a couple of downhill parts-- and stopped at the bottom of Chair 3, the Superior Chair. We got Bailey out and let her walk around. She didn't venture too far. Only to the side of the trail to say "uh-oh," where Nana took a tumble, and to the other side of the track to get some fresh snow to eat. We took a group picture and decided to head back. We got her bundled back up, and she just wasn't too happy. She had some snacks and water, but those didn't interest her. She pretty much cried and whined off and on the whole way back. TJ was pulling her--with two uphill sections-- and racing as fast as he could to get back to the lodge to get her out of the Chariot. We brought lunches and ate upstairs in the lodge and warmed up. Bailey was hopefully going to nap on the car ride down. Luckily, she fell asleep about 15 minutes in, and TJ got her up to her crib once we arrived home and she slept all afternoon!

Overall it was a great day, but in hindsight, we should have gone a shorter distance out-and-back with it being Bailey's first time cross country skiing. Thanks Nana and Papa for joining us to and to TJ for dealing with my packing heavily. :)

By: Susie

Christmas 2009

17 & 1/2-month-old Bailey celebrated her second Christmas in Boise this year. It was a busy 2 days. We had Christmas Eve at our house with my parents, the Kelso's, and Bob and Jason. It was a full house in our little condo--we can't wait to have a bigger house to entertain family a little easier. This translates directly into "having a basement or bonus room full of toys for the kids to play with." I had to work until 5 (but got to leave early at 4) so Nana and Julie did all the preparations for cooking. We had a spiral-cut ham, scalloped potatoes, homemade bread and salad. Unfortunately both TJ and I had started to get sick. TJ caught a cold from work, and I had some type of stomach bug. We made it through dinner, and after everyone left, we started watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. However, we both fell asleep on the couch and went to bed just as Aunt Bethany arrived.

Bailey was up early on Christmas- 6 o'clock- but not because she knew Santa had delivered presents. She was just up and ready to go, which was great, because we had three Christmas's to attend. We opened our gifts first thing, then on to Brit's for the Kemp's, then to the Bell's for the rest of the day. By the time we arrived at Nana and Papa's, Bailey needed a nap, so we had a delayed Christmas that began in the afternoon. Bailey actually helped open gifts this year, but she still didn't understand the reason we were giving gifts.

Even though we were sick, we had a great time hanging out with the family and seeing all the kids get so excited about their new toys. The day after we were still not 100% so we vegged on the couch and debated who's turn it was to change Bailey's diaper. Parenting is even tougher when both parties are sick!

New Ski's!

TJ gave me one of my Christmas presents about a week early as we were headed up to Bogus Basin the next day--new K2 One Luv skis and Marker bindings! They are last years model-discounted big on eBay. Sold out of Colorado and he didn't even have to pay for shipping! TJ's colleague Chris was going to Boulder for Thanksgiving so he offered to pick them up! He sure fooled me into thinking he was going to fix an older pair of skis that we had picked up. He even bought the $5 part and had it mailed here from Vermont! Pretty sneaky! Thank you so much TJ! I can't wait to test them out tomorrow!

Surprise!

What a great Christmas surprise this year. Papa arranged for Julie, Aiden and Mackenzie to drive up to Boise from Colorado for 10 days over Christmas break, and for Brian to fly in for the long weekend. TJ also knew, as he was to intercept the box of gifts I was going to ship to the Kelso family. A couple of weeks ago, TJ offered to ship the box for me. "Oh great!" I thought. One less thing I have to do--going to the post office with Bailey and waiting in a long line could be tough. So he took the box and brought it to my parents' house and hid it in the shed.

We had gone out to dinner last night with the Coughlin's and the Hirose's at the Arid Club for Christmas/Celebratory dinner, so Bailey stayed the night at Nana and Papa's. TJ and I went over Saturday morning to pick up Bailey and as I walk in, I hear kids' voices--kids that are not Magnus and Max. I thought, "who kids are those?" And then I realized it was Aiden and Kenzie! I couldn't believe it! I was shocked! I started to get tears in my eyes as I gave the kids' hugs. Bailey happened to be sleeping on Julie's chest, so she didn't jump up to say hi. I was in shock: "How did you guys get here?! Where is Brian?!" Julie and the kids had driven all day on Friday and showed up about 5pm and walked in and shocked Nana, who was cooking dinner. She just stood there, holding some butter, speechless.

It was a fabulous surprise and made our Christmas so wonderful to have everyone all together again. Our last family picture with everyone together was September of 2007.

Breakfast

Bailey and I enjoyed a nice bowl of Cheerios on Saturday morning. She wasn't interested in eating her own. She wanted mine. I was more than happy to share with her.

Happy Halloween!

Bailey's first "real" Halloween this year. Last year she wore a pumpkin t-shirt; this year she was a lion. We headed to Scott and Jenn's for a little bit of football (Vandals won!), a little bit of chilli and cornbread, and a little bit of trick or treating. Lots of kids were there at Max and Magnus' house: Max and Milo, Lucy and Mina, Josephine, Olive and Henry. It was crazy! We didn't bother with a candy bucket for Bailey, but she loved walking around in the dark. She did a good job of holding someone's hand while in the street. With so many people in our group - about 20 - she would look up and see who she was next to before she grabbed their hand. Next year I think we will let her get some candy! But mostly for Mom and Dad.

15-month doctor visit

Today we went to see Bailey's pediatrician for her 15-month well-baby visit. Many other kids were sick in the waiting room, as the flu and (H1N1) has come early this year, so we waited in another room.

Bailey was 31 inches long (75th percentile) and weighed 20 lbs 6 0z (15th percentile). She grew 2 inches and gained only one pound in 3 months! Which, apparently, is normal on the growth curve. Bailey checked out well in all area's!

Bailey got her flu shot today. Since this is the first year she is eligible to have the seasonal flu shot, she will have to get a second dose in 3 weeks. Hopefully she can stay healthy this flu season.

Big shoes, little girl

Bailey is 15 months old this week. She is so fun and we just love seeing what she'll come up with next. She has been into putting our shoes on her feet and-trying to-walk around. She can get a few steps before she comes out of them.

Bailey has been saying a few words. Besides the usual Mama and Dada, some others are:

"ball" (baaa)

"book" (booo)

"uh-oh"

"up"

"hot" (haaa) - while touching food cautiously with fingers spread

And her favorite noise to make is a quick, high pitched "mmhhh" with an inflection that makes it sound like she is saying "ok?" or "yes?" or "more?" Will try to post some video of that later.

First Owie

Bailey and Daddy were walking outside behind the condo a couple of weeks ago and Bailey fell and scraped up her knee. It was her first owie. Daddy cleaned it out and put a band-aid on it, but she took the band-aid right off. That night, she kept pulling up her pajama pants to look at her knee. And if you asked her where her owie was, she would gladly show you.

Bailey the Daredevil!

Look at the look on her face! She looks like she is up to no good! She has been climbing up on anything since Sept. 20th, after she took a spill at the zoo, which is kind of ironic. Climbing on the sit and spin, the couch, the first stair (to the gate), the bed, her Elmo car...anything!